STOCK SALE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 712, 7 January 1903, Page 2

STOCK SALE.

BiESSRS WILLIAMS AND KETTLE'S REPORT. There was a very iargo attendance and a great yarding at the stock sale at Matawhero yesterday. Messrs Williams and Kettle report: facte was a Very large attendance, anu the best yarding there has been at Matawhero for some considerable time. Tbe sale commenced with -tbe sheep, of which very iarge numbers came forward, tbe offering consisting of between 3000 and 4000. The influence exercised by the dry weather was very much in evidence ; tbe consequent shortening of feed making bidding slacker than it was at the last two sales for all classes of store sheep. Fat-shec-p, however, held their own, and commanded full figures. Tbe bulk of the offering in store stock consisted of 2-tooth ewes aud wethers not in the best of condition, and old ewes, which came forward too early in tbe season and were in very poor demand ; the 2-tooths made from 8s to 10s, according to quality and condition, and the old ewes from 5s to Bs. These figures were altogether in favor of buyers, and owing to the scarcity of store stock, largely, no doubt, caused by the demand owing to the large shipments to South Africa, we fully expect to see prices rise 2s a head on Tuesday’s figures.

Pigs: There was a fair offering of young pigs, which made from 10s for weaners up to 25s and 30s for porkers. No big pigs were offered. Horses : A few horses were submitted under the hammer, but there was very small competition for them. A nice line of 60 Eomney rams, bred by Mr F. Monckton, of Wairarapa, from Mr ■Wheeler's famous sires, were passed under the hammer, but all were sold privately at satisfactory figures. Cattle. —The interest of the sale evidently centred in the cattle, of which there was a very large offering, comprising in all some 450 head, consisting mainly of large stuff. Prime beef made up to 10 guineas, and some specially good fat cows were sold up to £8 I 10s. A lot of very good forward I empty cows were sold at figures ranging from £5 os to £1 ss, and store steers in forward condition made from £6 14s to £7 15s. Cows and calves, of which there was a consi lerable offering, were sold at from £5 to £8 10s. Yearling steers made up to £3, and two-year-old heifers £i 10s to £5. Very few dairy stock were offered, but good cows found purchasers up to £B, whilst ordinary milkers made from £5 10s to £6 10s. Our ne::t stock sale will be held on Thursday, 29th January, at Matawhero yards. ___________